I PR 5499 




. S45 L3 


■^^R 


Copy 1 


^^B 


\ AMES AND HOLGATE'S 

M "^T. ' SERIES OF 

\ STANDARD) AND \mm 


f 


(NUjpiiR IJINE.) 


1 • 


f*-M»-> ■■ = 



■^^^' 



5 



LADY AiLEY'S SECRET. 

A DRAMA IN TWO ACTS, 

BY WILLIAM E. SUTER, ESQ,. 



AUTHOR OF f 

The Pirates of the Savp-nnah, Idiot of the Mountain, ^ 

Angel of Midnight, A Quiet Family, Outlaw ^ 

of the. Adriatic, John Wopps, r 

4c., &c. ^ 

With a description pf Costume — Cast of the charactei's, A 

Ilelatlve Pasiti^li of the Performers on the Stage, ^ 

Entrancos and Exits— and the whole of ^ 

the Stage Business. ^ 

AMES &z IIOLGATE, PUBLISHERS, ^ 

CLYDE, OHIO. Vl!j 



AMS3 & H3LGtATa'3 EDITION 

OP 




-ih CENTS EACH. 

No 1. Mb and Mrs Prixgle, a Farco iVone act, by Don T 
De Treba Cosio', a very amusing piece, seven male, live female- 
characters. 

No. 2. Desperate Game, a Comic Drama in one act, by 
John Madison Morton, the AVell knowa Dramatic Author, three: 
male and two female characters. 

No. 3. Lady ot Ltoxs, or Live and Prida, Play "in five actt 
by Sir Kd Vizard J^/tton Buhvei-, twelve male aaJ five fema> echar- 
actefsi 

No A, IticttELiMt;, or the CoNSFtuACT, a Play in five acts by 
Sir Edward Lyttoi, Balwer, sixteen male and two f»male char- 
tera« 

Nb. 5. Itrii-N WoMEK WBgp,^ a ComedidttS in one act, by J^ 
Newton Gotthoid, This very pleasing Play is entirely new, and 
i^herever it haa been plsiyed, has beeti rcfcdivect With great ap- 
pSuse«^ 

No. 6. TiiE SxtDid, £tii E-thiopian Farce in one ftct, threff 
male characters, 

No. 7: The Vo\v of the OMnani) a t)ramain three' a(its,froitf 
the German, by Jj Newton Gotthold, eight male and one female 
fcharactef; 

No. 8: tiia i^ETTgR Half, CdmediettA In diie' ddt, ty Thos,- 
J Willidnis, the Well kdown Autlidx-} five niaie arid tWo female 
fcharactersi 

, No. 9. LAI)Y AuiSEEf i SECRlit, a Drdnia in H6 acta, fro^ 
UiBS Braddoa's novel of the same name, by Wra? i. Siller, 



\if Plap wtd t'6pidl§ fOlloiu: 



7-323 ^ , . 

LADY AILETS SECRET. 



IN TWO ACTS. 



Adi^ptfid from Miss Braddoii's popular Work of the same titk. 



BV 



WILLIAM E. SUTER, Esq., 



AUTHOR OK 

Tke Pirates of the Savannah, Idiot of the Mountain, Syren 

of Paris, Angel of Midnight, Old House on the Bridge, 

Outlaw of the Adriatic, Sarah's Young Man. A ftuiet 

Family, John Wopps, Rifle Volunteer, Brother 

Bill and Me, Give Me My Wife, &c., &c. 



liatei'cd according to Act of Congress, in tJie -vtar 1871, by 

xVMES & HOLGATE, ' 

\d the Office of tlie Librarian of Congress, ut Washington-. 



AMES & HOLGATE, PulDlisliers, 

CLYDE, OHIO. 



^ 



CAST OF CEARACTEES, 

As first performed at the Queen's Theatre, (under the manag« 
ment uf Mr. C. J. .lames,) ou Saturday, JFebruary 21, 1863, 



6III MICHAEL DUDLEY Me. Deville 

ROr.ElvT AUDLI^Y (his Nephew) . . .J^'Ir. Charles Sknsktt. 

GEORGl': TALCOYS .Mr.. Thomas Sennett. 

LUKE MAEKS Mr, J. Green 

WWl'S (a Butler) Mr, W, IT, WiiiTxo.s. 

liULLS (a Footnmn) Mti. W, Heymo-jr. 

LADY AUDLEY '. . .Miss Marion Jagkhon 

ALICL\ (Sir Micliaers Daughter) Miss P]mily SLvde. 

ITKEIIE (Lady Audley'a Waiting Maid) ALsh- Llanche Fori- 
MAIiTlA' (a fcervant) Miss' Jenxie Slade. 



As performed at Aiken's Museum, Chieago ]1L (under tli« 

management of Frank Aiken,) Monday, 

January 2, 1871. 

8IR MICHAEL AUDLI'T; .Mr. F. L. Keller. 

Rr>BEJlT AULMJY (Iks Kephew) . . .Mu, ,L W. L.laisoell. 

GEORCIE TALL;0 Vb Mr. J. C. I'AOrtETT. 

LUKE MARKS Mr. R. (^ White. 

LILinS (a JJutler) Mr. Owen Fawcett. 

BUIiBS (a Footman) Mr. E. Jl. Soggs.' 

LADY AUDLLY Mhs. D. R. Allkk 

ALKTA (Sir Miehael's Dkughtcr,,) ..Miss b.MjiA Marble 

Pn(E]'>E (I-ady At^dley's Waiting Maid.) Miss Katie Mahi.w. 
MAIITIN (a Servant.) ; . , . .Ihaa Ada Mark, 



un 'u 



UDLEY'S SECRET. 



ScRNE Fiiirii. — .' .tii'-iior of Audley Court. {27id groove-') 

Bibbs. lubbs. i caught you at it. 

BuBBs. i d !(li;'t uo !o do it, Mr. lubbsi. 

i'lBB.s. \ ou d (1 gi) to do it, Bubbs ; you went into my pri- 
vate apartnieut aiid%ou ■— 

J'UBiis. Iweut to put it to rights, Mr 1'iibb.s. 

i iBKs. And uovv i've got you to rights, Tubbs. I saw 
you take up a decaniei*, fill a glass, and dnnk it. 

liuBB.s. JJriuk the glass, Mr Bibbs ? 

]'>iBB.s. No eva-sioti, liubbs. I pay, you 

BuBBri. ] was taken suddenly 80 very iaiut. 

Bibbs, Vou m glit have ielt i'aint, but you smelt very strong 
of h-ir "Michael's rlio:(e:U poit. 

BuBBs. <.)h! i wisli 1 wasa butler, that! might drink as much 
(18 you do. 

: i>ir.Bs. Y<ni a butler ! ivevcr hope to arrive at that dignified 
ttftatiou ; a butler is expected to be a maa of noble bearing and 
commanding figure — a butler is expected to be a man- — tha^ is, 
in sliort, siuh a n"!au as 1 ?.m! 

JU'Eiii*. 'i'lien they must be very hard to get^ for 1 never saw 
such a man as you are in all my lii'e 

BiBBo. {^c-o.)ioeitedly) I am glad, I'.ubbe^ j'ou have sufficient 
discenimeut to do me justce. 

BuBB-b And 1 hope i never shall agaite ! auch a pompous dom- 
ineer in «}'«='»'^ 



4 LADY AUDLP:Y'.S SECRE'J:. 

r 

Bibbs, liubbs! 

BuBBS. Conceited, inflated, stuck up- 

Bibbs. Bubbs ! 

BuBBS. My indignation will have vent, I can't bottle it uji 
any longer, 1 will speak. 

Bibbs. You do, and your speech is very thick ; and it isn't 
your indignation that is speaking — 'it is Sir Michael's old port ! 
Bubbs, you took more than one glass ! 

Bubbs. One glass was all I took. 

Bibbs. You swear it? 

Bubbs. Yes, one glass of port— that's all— and four glasses of 
brandy. 

Bibbs, {^starting) Horrible ! tlie brandy that I keep for nir 
own drinking ! I might have forgiven you for drinking Nil' 
Michael's port, but to presume to swallow my brandy — my owji 
private bottle of 

Bubbs. I didn't sivallow the bottle— and, if anybody says I 
did, ii's a lie ! 

Bibbs. Hitherto unheard of ruffian, you are discharged ! 

Bubbs. Wliat does that matter to such a smart young man nn 
I am ! I shall make it my business to obtain a situation with a 
lovely young lady with large property, and she'll fallin love witli 
me and marry me ! 

Bibbs. If she did, she'd be sent to pass the honeymoon in 
a lunatic asykim ! Bubbs, you are discharged — I give yon 
warning. 

Bubbs. You are jealous of me with Phoebe Marks, that's it ! 

Bibbs. Jealous of ?/^i<;.^ Do you imagine Phoebe would oast 
a look on an undersized footman when there is a full growu but- 
ler in the way ? 

Bubbs. Yes, you aT& in the way ! 

Bibbs. Phcebe Marks is Lady Audley's own maid, and si 
great favorite with her mistress, receiving, besides her liboi'al 
salary, handsome presents from her ladyship ; iu short, Pho^bo 
is a charming creature ! 

Bdbbs. Well, and so am I ; so it would be a capital match. 

Bibbs. Bubbs, you are a, little man ; and I am tall and 
powerful, of course 1 can't be such a coward as to strike yoU' — so 
there ! (hicks Tiim) 

Bubbs. Oh I why, surely you didn't dare to 

Bibbs. {I'ichirig him a(/ai7i)YQS, I did I 

BuBB8. Oh 1 I'll take you before a magistrate. 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 



Bibbs, You've got no witnesses. 

BuBBS. Yes I have ; I'll show you bruises^ 

Bibbs. Get ont ! {Kicks him oif^ exit l.) 

Enter Luke Marks, l. 

Luke. They let me in directly 1 asked for Phoebe Marks, and 
said 1 was her cousin, it shows that she be somebody ; but now I 
am here, how be I to find her in this great rambling house ? 

Enter Phcebe Marks, l, 

Phcebe. You need not search far, Lnke, for here I am. 

Luke. Ah ! you didn't come to look after me, so I thought Pd 
best see after j^ou, I come across through the field, and in at the 
gate agen the moat, and up to the back door of the house. 

Phcebe. I can see the well from my bed room windoAv, and 
happening to be at the window I saw you approaching, and im- 
mediately hurried to meet you, for vv^e were you know, playmates 
in childhood, and now are sweethearts. 

Luke. Yes, and we are bound to marry one another, you 
know. 

Phcebe. {rather sadly) Yes — yes. 

Luke. You don't seem over pleased about 'it? 

Phcebe. {quickly) ^-^h, yes, indeed! But I — T was just wish- 
ing that I were a great lady like 

Luke. Like your missus, eh? But 'taint every poor girl, merely 
because she happens to be born prettv, that is lucky enough to find 
an old fool of a rich baronet to i'all in love with and marry her. 

Phcebe. And Sir Micheal perfectly doats on her ; she has just 
as much money as she chooses to ask for. 

Luke. Ay, it's a fine thing, Phoibe, to have lots of money, and 
I hope that you'll be warned by that, my lass, to save up your 
wages agen we get married. 

Phcebe. And what was Miss Graham, now Lady Audley 
only three month ago, when she lived in Mr Dawson's house? 
nothing but a governess, a servant like me, taking small wages, 
and working for them as hard, or harder than I did You should 
have seen her shabbv clothes, Luke, worn and patched and 
turned and twisted yet always looking nice and upon her somehow, 
and now she is a great lady. 

Luke. Never you mind her, take care of yourself, Phoebe! 
that's all you've got to do. What would you say to a public 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 



house for you and me, by and by my girl? There's a deal of mon- 
83^ to be made out of a public house. 

Phgebe. Unless it happens to be a losing speculation, (aside) 
Oh dear ! and I've got to marry this man ! 

Luke. I should thirk you would soon get tired of this mortal 
dull place, I've heard tell of a murder done here in old times. 

Phcebe. Oh, Luke ! don't talk like that, or I shall fancy I see a 
ghost in every dark corner of the old house, {bell rings) hark ! 
there is Lady Audley ringing for me — you must go'.now Luke, 
but I shall see you soon again. 

Luke. Yes, yes, yoiT go to her ladyship, stick close to her. and 
seem very fond of her ; because the more you can get out of her 
the better I shall like you, you know. 

Phcebe. {aside) Thinks only of what I may bring him, and I 
dare'nt say I won't have him ; oh, dear! Exit l . 

Luke. Pluiebe's getting to be quite a fine lady here ; but I'i I 
soon cure her of that complaint arter she's my wife. Let's see 
which way did I come in, {looks ahout) and which way am I 
to get out I wonder. 

Enter Bibbs and Bubbs, l. 

Bibbs. It's no use trotting at my heels like a poodle ; I tell you 
it's no use. Bubbles you are discharged. 

Bubbs. (l.) I won't go till you give me a character for hon- 
esty and sobriety. 

Bibbs, (c.) Why you drunken robber! 

Luke. (r. seeing them) Oh. one of these fellows will tell me, 
I say, you fellows ? 

Bibbs. Fellows ! (aside) Never met with such indignity since 
I have been a butler! {to Bubbs.) 'Tis all through you I am so 
insulted, he judges me by the company I keep. 

Luke. One of you fellows I say ; which is the way out of this 
queer old house ? 

Bibbs. How did you get in? 

Luke. What's that to you. 

Bibbs. Intolerable impertinence ; but never mind now how you 
got in, you shall be turned out. 

Luke, {advancing) Are you the man that is going to 

Bibbs, {retteaiing) Certainly not, I leave all disagreeable 
work to my subordinates. Bubbs ! {turns to Bubbs, who is asleep 
■in chain,.) Why, curse the fellow aint {pulls him out 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 



of chair) Bubbs ! 

BuBBS. What's the matter ? 

Bibbs. Turn this vagabond out ! 

BuBBs. Yes ; {seizes Bibbs, shakes him) Come, get out! 

Bibbs, {p. jyitching into him) Wretch! shake a butler — 
hanging's too good for you, drunken brute I 

Bubbs. («.) It's your fault, you shouldnt keep such strong brandy. 

Luke. 1 am the man you are to turn out. 

Bubbs. You — let's have a good look at you. {looks him over) 
Um! Mr. Bibbs I beg most respectluUy to decline, {to l.) 

Luke. If all the servants are such animals as these, I shall nev- 
er get out of the place. Exit R 

Bibbs, {shouting after Luke) I'm not a servant, and I'm not 
an animal — I'm a butler, villain! (?o Bubbs) you fell asleep while 
I was being insulted, and I'll stop it out of your wages! 

Bubbs. Oh, Mr. Bibbs ! {leans against Mm) 

Bibbs. Oh, here's an outrage — a common servant leaning against 
a butler ! 

Bubbs. I do feel so weak and ill, Mr. Bibbs ! 

Bibbs. You're drunk Bubbs. 

Bubbs. Do please carry me up stairs and put me to bed. 

Bibbs. I'll put you in the horsepond ! wretch, remove your ig- 
noble carcass from my dignified shoulder :his moment, or I'll 

Bubbs. Oh. Phoebe, lovely Pha?be ! 

Bibbs. Ah! {starts /"ro?;?, Bubbs, loho falls) Monster, remain 
there till I return- — I'm going lor the shax'pest carving knife in 
th? establishment. Rushes oif^. 

Bubbs. {on groimd) Oh, law ! he's going to murtler me, and 
I'm in such a weak state ; going to kill me, oh ! I must crawl up 
to his room and have a drop more of his brandy, or I shall never 
be able to live through it. {crawls oif i^') 

^?i^<?'?' Egbert Audley «n^Z George Talboys, r. 

Robert. Well George, here we are, arrived at last at my brave 
old uncle's mansion, and though I did not jsay in my letter to him 
that I should bring you with me, as indeed how could I? for I did 
not so unexpectedly run against you till the day after that letter 
was written, yet for all that, I can promise you a hearty welcome 
from Sir Michael Audley ; and his wife cannot so soon, prove oth- 
erwise than amiable, for as I have told you, my uncle has lately 
married for the second time with a mere girl, as young almost, or 



8 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 

quite, as his dauii,hter by his first marriage ; but {looks at George) 
all my chattering is thrown away ujion yor., there you stand as 
gloomy, SBd as sad 

Talboys. (r. c.) Why would vou force me to accompany you 
hithe:? 

Robert. Because I saw you so wretched I feared to leave you 
to your own company. George, George, we were fast fiiends in 
early youth ! I lose sight of you ior yeais, and suddenly we meet 
again — you appear to uieme the same as oi' old, except that foreign 
suns have rather bronzed your features — we enter a hotel together 
— you carelessly pick up a paper, and the next instant — George 
Avhat there did you read, what could you read? nothing that could 
affect the fortune you have earned ? (George shakes his head) 
Well, whatever j^our grief, will you endure it alone? think you 
that my friendship is a mere word, that in name only has existence? 

Talboys. I know you to possess as true a heart as ever throbbed 
within a hum .n breast, and would not atfiict you with the re- 
lation of a sorrow you can do nothing to alleviate. 

Robert. Is then true sympathy nothing? 

Talboys. {ci'osses to l.) Well since you will have it so, know 
that when you saw me sitting rigid as a statue, and as pale, before 
that newspaper, it was because therein I had seen recorded my 
darling wife's untimely death, {crosses to R. sits, places his 
hands over fac^i sols) 

Robert. Heavens ! my poor friend, I — I did not mean you — 

Talboys. {rising) Mine was a romantic marriage — ours was 
indeed love at first sight. We went to Italy. You knov.^ I was 
never a niggard with my money ; I had but two thousand pounds 
bequeathed me by my father — well we lived in spkndid style till 
this was gone ; Avhen but a couple of hundred or so were left, we 
I'etnrned to England, to the little watering place which had ever 
been my dear one's home ; soon we were penniless, but I had no fear 
-for the future, believing that I had influence which would obtain ' 
lor me a lucrative employment. 

Robert. And did it not? 

Talboys. I could obtain nothing, and when tired out and down- 
hearted, I returned to my wife, and told her that I hatl failed in 
everything, she burst forth into a storm of sobs and lamentations 
telling me that 1 ought not to have married her if I could give her 
nothing but poverty and misery, and that I had done her a cruel 
wrong in making her my wife. 

Robert, {surjpiised) Did she tell yon that? 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 9 

Talboys. By heavens, Eobert ! her tears and reproaches drove 
me almost mad, and I rushed from the house declaring I would 
never enter it again. 

Robert. Well? 

Talboys. Well, I flew into the open country, and there dash- 
ed mysel£.despairingly on the ground, after a while I grew calm- 
er and could think, and I suddenly remembered that in India I had 
a relative, a wealthy merchant, and I resolved to go to. him ; I 
wrote a few brief lines to ray wife which told her that I never had 
loved her better than now when I seemed to desert her ; that I was 
going far from her to try my fortune, and if I succeeded I should 
come back to bring her plenty and happiness, that if I failed 
I would never look upon ber face again. I did not leave her to 
hopeless povertY. for she had her jewels, and trinkets, while I — 
but no matter now 

Robert, And in India you succeeded ? 

Talboys. Not till I bad long despaired of success, for the rel- 
ative to whom I went was a hard man, and made me one of his 
clerks, with the poor wages of a clerk, that was all ; but wasn't I 
toiling for my darling? Through all that dreary time, her pretty 
white band beckoned me onward to a happy future. Why, I have 
seen her sitting by my side, as plainly as I had ever seen her in the 
one happy year of our wedded life ; and so I toiled on steadily, 
and at last I conquered. 

Robert. Brave fellow ! 

Talboys. With the little money which I had saved, I commen- 
ced to speculate on my own account, fortune favored me, and at 
last I awoke one morning to find myself with twenty thousand 
pounds, and more, and a week after was on board a vessel bound 
to England, and as I madly believed, to the darling of my life, 

Robert. But in all that time, did you never write to your wife? 

Talboys. Never, till a week before the vessel sailed; I wait- 
ed for good fortune, and when that came, I wrote telling her that 
I should be in England almost as soon as my letter, and giving 
her an address where to find me — and I returned, as I hoped and 
belioved, to her love and to a life's happiness, and I find her dead. 
Helen, my Helen, my wife my darling, my only love! dead! 
dead! {crosses l.) 

Robert. George there may have been some other Helen Tal- 
boys? 

Talboys. No no, my wife is dead ! I know it but too well, for 
two days since, I stood beside her grave, and upon her tombstone 



10 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 

read my darling's name ! {covers face witJi hands) 

Robert. My poor fellow, what can I say to comfort you? 

Talboys. Nothing, {crosses R.) I must bear the heavy sor- 
row as best I oan. {going n) 

Robert. Whither are you going ? 

Talboys. Out into the open air, here I am stifled, stifled ! 

Robert. You will presently return to the house? 

Talboys. Yes, yes, have no fqar for me ; I shall not lay hands 
on my life, I would pray to heaven, not outrage it. Oh, Helen ! 
Oh, my wife I dead, dead ! {hurries off ^.) 

Robert. Poor G-aorge ! how he grieves ; and yet, judging her 
•by his own report, she could not have been a very devoted wife, 
nor have loved him much, as it appears to me ; but then of course 
I ImoAV nothing about it, for I am not a married man — but I sup- 
pose that some day I must come to it, though I shall try ],to put off 
the evil time as long as possible. 

Enter Bibbs, b. 

Bibbs. Mr. Robert Audley, I have the honor to be your most 
obedient very humble servant (bowing) 

Robert. Jonathan Bibbs as usual, I know all about it. 

Bibbs. Heard of your arrival and was delighted. We have al- 
ways a hearty welcome for your uncle's nephew, {howing) 

Robert, {also howing) And my uncle's nephew is very much 
obliged to you, and has the honor to be your most obedient, &c. 

Bibbs. You are looking remarkably Avell, sir ; do you think I 
am at all altered ? 

Robert. Not at all Mr. Bibbs, you are as great a fool as eve r ! 

Bibbs. He, he, he, — you are always so comical sir. Weren't 
you surprised v/hen you heard of your uncle's marriage? 

Robert. No Bibbs, I always felt certain that my uncle would 
some day marry again, and why should he not? 

Bibbs. Ah! {sighs) love is an attack we are all subject to, 
whatever may be our age or condition, whether we be baronet or 
butler — ah ! {sighs again) 

Robert, {laughing) Why surely Bibbs, you haven't got a 
touch of the complaint? 

Bibbs. A touch ! Sir I have got enough of it to knock me down! 

Robert, {laughing) Well you do look rather upset. 

Bibbs. But my marriage, if it ever does take place, will not dis- 
possess my nephew, who always looks forward to be my heir ; 
because you see, Mr. Audley, I haven't got a nephew — my near- 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 11 

est relation in the world, is my father's mother's sister's daughter's 
husband : and goodness knows what relationship that is, for I 

don't. 
Robert. You rascal, how dare you? 
Bibbs. Lam sure I humbly beg your pardon, sir. I didn't 

mean to — to • ji 

Robert. Begone unless you are anxious to be kicked! 
Bibbs. Well sir, I'm not : I don't mind kicking others, but I 
don't like to be kicked myself, and you must excuse me, for I very of- 
ten don't know Avhai I am talking about since I have fallen in love 
with a charming creature, a great favorite with her mistress, le- 
ceiving besides her liberal salary, handsome presents from her 
ladyship. 

Robert. If you are not gone 

Bibbs, Mr. Robert Audley I have the honor tobj your most 

obedient, very humble 

Robert. Rascal! {exit Bibbs, lowing y^.) I supposo it is thus 
that all will judge me ; but I never thought or cared for my uncle's 
fortune, I have enOugh of mv own, even should I marry, and I 
sudpose that some day I must marry my cousin Alicia. It might 
seem to others that the partiality of a young lady who is sole heir- 
ess to a very fine estate is rather well worth cultivating, but it 
doesn't so occur to me. Alicia is a very nice girl, a jolly bouncing 
girl, with no nonsense about her — a girl of a thousand : but my 
enthusiasm will carry me no further at present. Hem ! here she is : 
(To Alicia, as she enters, l.) My dear Alicia ! 

All {gives her hand) Ah ! cousin, you was longing to see 
the wax doll with flaxen ringlets that my father has married : of 
course you will think her the most charming creature in the world 
—all the men do : I can't tell why— I don't like her. 

Robert, {laughing) I didn't suppose you would, and so no 
doubt you and my lady, your young stepmother, go at it hammer 
and tongs. I hope you won't quarrel or say unpleasant things at 
the dinner table — rows always upset a man's digestion. 

All I don't like her : shouldn't I think if she was not my step- 
mother. I don't like her eyes — something strange and sinister in 
their expression I think ! 

Robert. Well when I have seen her I will tell you. 
All And to think how my poor foolish father doats on her — 
a man at his time of life ought to know better. 

Robert, {laughing) What! ought to know better than to 
love his wife? 



12 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 

Ali . Don't be aggravating Robert, come along. 

Robert. Not yet, a friend came with me Avhom I must go and 
look lor. 

Ali. a friend ! 

Robert. Yes, a poor fellow who has lately lost his wife, and — 

Ali. Well, I will go with you in search of this interesting young- 
widower ! {looks at Robert coaxingly) Robert ! 

Robert. Yes, Alicia ! 

Ali. Of course, now you have come to us at last, you intend to 
stay with us a good long time ! 

Robert. No, cousin, I must return to town tomorrow mor- 
ning. 

Ali. Oh ! {concealing her disappointment) You are al- 
ways very soon tired of Audley, Robert, but of course you have 
no friends here except your relations at the Court, while in Lon- 
don, no doubt, you have the most delightful society, and 

Robert. I get good tobacco ; Audley is a dear old place, but 
when a man has to smoke dried cabbage leaves,- you know 

Ali. {aside) Oh, to have only one cousin in the world, and 
he to care no more for you than a dog! 

Roberi'. What did you say, Alicia? 

Ali. Nothing, you stupid log. {petulantly seizes his arm) 
come along! {drags /dm o/F, r.) 

J^nter Sir Michael and Lady Audley, c. 

Sir M. Ah, Lucy, I know that I am growing old, that my beard. 
is white — if for your sake dearest, I could but take twenty years 
from my life ! 

Lady A. Why should you wish that, when I so love you as 
you are — you are so good and generous — there are women a hun- 
dred times my superiors in beauty and goodness who might love 
you dearly. 

Sir M. You are the delight of my life — wheie'er you go you 
carry joy and happiness — all admire and praise you. 

Lady A. {aside) If they kncAv me they would curse me. 

Sir M. You are the best and sweetest creature that ever lived 
and I the most blessed of men in having won you to be my wife. 
Till I saw you I had never loved. My marriage with Alicia's 
mother was but a dull bargain, made to keep an estate tn the fam- 
ily that would have been just as well out. 

Lady A. Could I forbear to love the man who sought me that 
he might raise me to aa emminence beyond the hope of e'en my 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 13 



wildest dreams ! Oh, I sometimes doubt if it be really true, tnat 
the poor humble governess, Lucy Graham, is now indeed, the 
great Lady Audley! 

Sir M. Would that I could give you a kingdom with my love ! 
{draws her to him^ presses his lips to her forehead) 

Lady K. {aside) No more dependence, no more dradgery, no 
more humiliation — every trace of the old life melted away, every 
clue to identity bxiried and forgotten. 

Sir M. {vjho has heen looking off r.) I thought my eyes 
were not deceiving me — it is my nephew. 

hnter Robert and Alicia, r. 

Robert. Yes dear uncle, it is really and positively your ueph' 
ew. 

Sir M. (c.) Welcome boy, welcome! {introducing him) 
Lady Audley. 

Ladv a. (l. c.) I have heard much of you Mr, Audley, bo th 
from my husband and Alicia, and am much delighted to ma ke 
your acquaintance. 

Robert, (r. c. aside to Alicia) What a smile ! no wonder 
my poor uncle was caught — she is perfectly fascinating, charming! 

All (r. aside to Robert, spitefully) I tell you she is a 
wax doll. But of course, like all the men, you are smitten with 
her at first sight. 

Robert. Nonsense, do you think I don't know better, than to 
fall in love with my aunt? 

Sir M, What are you two chattering about? 

Robert. Why — why — oh, uncle, I hope you will pardon me, 
but I have taken the liberty of bringing here with me, a very dear 
friend. 

Lady A. Any friend of yours, I am sure, would be welc me 
here. 

Sir M. He knows that, the rogue ; but who is he Robert — d© 
I know him ? 

Robert. No uncle ; and poor fellow, you will not find him very 
entertaining company I fear, for his wife is lately dead, and 

Lady A, {slightly starting) Ah ! 

Robert. He had but just returned from the Indies 

(Lady Audley is violently agitated) 

Sir M. The urhappyman shall receive from us every consid- 
eration. What is his name? 

Robert. George Talboys. (Lvdy Audley shudders and 



14 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 

rernains 2)€triiied) Hush, uncle, he is here ! 

Enter George Talboys, r, 
My dear George, it was no false jjromise when I told you that 
here you would find a hearty welcome — rny uncle. Sir Michael 
Audley. {theyhow) Uncle, with your leave — (Sir Michael 
draios hack a step — Robert leads Talboys towards Lady 

Audley) Lady Audley this is (passes him next to Lady 

Audley) 

Talboys, Great heavens ! [rooted to the spot — Robert ob- 
serves them — Sir Michael and. Alicia conversing r. 

Lady A. (l. quickly rousing — aside to Talboys.) An 
hour hence — the lime tree walk near the old well. 

Talboys. I am mad ! oh surely I am mad ! {rushes off R.) 

Sir M. {turns) Eh ! Whatis this, whither is he scampering? 

Robert. You must forgive him uncle, he cannot yet endure 
the society of any one. 

Lady A. {crossing to Sir Michael, laughing lightly) It 
would almost appear that it was I who drove him hence, and yet 
I have never been accounted altogether frightful. 

Robert, {aside) There is something I cannot understand, 
something that 

Sir M. Robert, give your arm to Lady Audley. 

Robert. Oh, certainly — delighted. Lady Audley, if you will 
allow me? 

Lady A. {takes his arm.) You will not follow the example 
of your friend, and run away from me ? {laughing--exit hoth^ r) 

Sir M. {gives arm) Come Alicia, my dear ! 

All {as they exit) One's own cousin to tall in love with a 
wax doll — it's shameful ! 

Scene Second. — The lime-tree Walk; Well c.; the old 
stone wall that surrounds it only partly visihle through 
thehrushwood; half dark; Music- 
Enter George Talboys slowly, h. V, e. advances; sud- 
denly stops, listens a moment, hxtrrying up is met 
hy Robert Audley. who enters l, u. e. 

Talboys. {draws hack) Ah! you! 

Robert. You say that in a tone as if you expected some one 
else, and that my presence is a disappointment to you. 
Talboys. How came you to seek me here? 
Robert. You fled from us so abruptly ; and as her ladyship 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 15 

hurried to her room immediately afterwards, to dress for dinner 
as she said, I availed myself of the opportunity to seek you every- 
where about the grounds, and at last you see 

Talboys. {glancing towards hack) Leave me instantly! 

Robert. Grcorge you are expecting some one ; must I tell you? 

Talbow;, Tell me nothing, but leave me — delay not a moment 
I entreat you, and swear not to linger near this spot — that you 
will neither watch nor listen ! 

Robert. George, do you then believe me capable of 

Talboys, I beleive nothing, but if you would that we should 
continue friends 

Robert. Enough ! it is a strange request, but I pledge to you 
my honor that I will in this obey your wishes. 

Talboys. Thank you, thank you — now go at once. 

Robert. You promise that you will presently return to the 
mansion ? 

Talboys. Yes. 

Robert. Adieu, then! {aside — looking l. u. e.) Heavens! 
Lady Audley ! now my word is passed, but hereafter I will at- 
tempt to solve this mystery. Exit R, 1 e. 

Music. — Talboys turns, sees ^Aa^RoBERr is gone — walks 
to R. looking after him — Lady Audley enters l. ti. e. to 
L. c. — Talboys turns 5^65 Lady Audley, and starts. 

Talboys. Ah ! woman, devil, or whate'eryou are 

Lady A. Hold! let us endeavor to commence calmly. 

Talboys. Calmly ! are you not my wife? 

Lady A. I was ! the vvife whom you deserted — abandoned ! 

Talboys. No, tis false! you know it, I but fled from you in 
the hope I might return and make you wealthy. 

Lady A. Listen to me. After your departure, I vainly sought 
employment — a wife whom her husband had deserted could not 
be innocent of all fault — and no one would receive me as the in- 
structress of their children. I was penniless — helpless — hopeless ; 
before me was starvation or a repulsive life of infamy ! I shrunk 
from both and resolved to live anew, and for myself alone. I ceased 
to be Mrs. George Talboys, forgot even that I had been He en 
Maldon, and became Miss Lucy Graham. For a miserable stipend 
I toiled as a governess, was seen, admii'ed, and loved by Sir WiL 
Ham Audley, he offered me his hand, weary of poverty and drudg- 
ery, and fixed in the belief that you would never reurn to claim 
me, I became Sir Michael's wife. 



16 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 



Talboys. Oh! infamy! 

Lady A. Scarcely was I married when your letter reached me 
it told me you was about to quit India, named the time when I 
might expect once more to behold you. What did I then ? not 
groan and tear my hair, no ! I hastened to my birthplace, I knew 
that there, a young girl, a playmate of my childhood, was dying 
rapidly of consumption. She did die. Her mother lor a heavy 
bribe consented that the girl should be buiied in my name. I then 
caused to be inserted in the papers, the announcement of my own 
death, and if you have visited the grave, you have seen the words 
'Helen Talboys' on the tombstone. 

Talboys. Oh ! horrible ! and this the woman I have so wildly 
loved, who wantonly, for her own wild selfish ends, has driven 
me to despair. 

Lady A. The past cannot be recalled ; the wealth and splendor 
I have attained I will not lose. Gro then, let us forget each other ; 
you shall share always of the riches at my command — I will do 
anything sooner than abandon the wealth and position I have won 
and go back to my old life. 

Talboys. You offer me wealth. I am worth twenty thousand 
pounds — 'twas all for you, for you — and now 

Lady A. Is it then revenge you seek ? to crush the woman whom 
you have loved — who has been your wife. 

Talboys. While I live I will never forgive you for the lie thaj 
has broken my heart. You have plucked it from my breast, have 
trampled upon it, and now — I have no heart in which to feel 
one sentiment of mercy for you. I would have forgiven you any 
wrong but this one deliberate and passionless wrong you have 
done me. No power on earth shall turn me from my purpose, to 
take you to the man you have deceived and make you tell your 
terribly wicked story. 

During the last speech^ Lady Audley's hand is work- 
ing heneath the hosem of her dress, at end of speech un- 
seen hy Talboys, partly draws forth a poinfbrd-, instant- 
ly thrusting it hack. 

Lady A. {advancing towards Talboys) I defy yoii — I de- 
fy you! denounce me to Sir Michael, I will declare you to be a 
madman or a liar, and I defy you to convince the man who loves 
me, blindly worships me, that you have any claims to me — fare- 
well, {starts I- u. R. — Talboys follows — seizes her wrist 
drags her back) 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 17 



Talboys. You go not yet. 

Lady A. {shakes him off) You have bruised my wrist! 
{again grasps poinard) 

Talboys. Your intamous cunning shall no longer avail you ; 
by heaven ! if there was but one witness of your identity, and that 
witness was removed from Audley Court by the width of the 
whole world, I would bring him there to swear to your identity 
and to denounce you. 

Lady A, Ah! {with a loild exclamation she suddenly 
turns andstahs Talboys ; he utters a cry-, staggers against 
the wall of the ivell, which gives way with a crash, he 
falling into the loell; Lady Audley throws the poinard 
into the hrushwood-, exits l. u. e. Music) 

Scene Third. — Hall in Audley Court. 

Enter Bibbs and Bubbs, l. 

Bibbs. Don't stagger after me intoxicated wretch ! you have 
your discharge — have received your wages — you are no longer ser- 
vant here — go ! 

BuBBS. Not without a written character for honesty and sobri- 
ety : besides, why should we sepeiate? I forgive you all the inju- 
ries you have inflicted on me ! 

Bibbs. Injuries ! 

BuBBS. Those kicks you know ; you will not be doing your duty 
as a respectable butler if you dischaige the most sober aod indus- 
tiions servant in the establishment. 

BiBBS. If you don't instantly get out 

BuBBs. I won't go till you pay me my wages! 

Bibbs. Rascal! I have paid yor. ! 

ButsBs. \''es, but there was no witness, and I gave you no re- 
ceipt, so I shall swear I have never received a farthing ; and you'll 
have to pay me again ! 

Bibbs. Why, you 

BuBBS. I'll teach you what it is to take the bread out of an hon- 
est man's mouth! 

BiBBs. I'm perfectly paralyzed! 

BuBBS. A steady hard-working young man that is always on 
his legs — down early and up late ! 

Bibbs, (r.) Wretch, wretched wretch, my wrath has an exler- 
mioating power. I could have forgiven you everything but pre- 
suminiJ- to love Phoebe ^larks. 



18 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET, 



Bqbbs. (l.) I don't love her — I want to marry her — that's all 5 
and if I have cast my eye 

Bibbs. Yes, I know you have a cast in your eyes, but I won't 
allov/ you to squint at her — she shall be mine as soon as ever I can 
get her,; and don't I wish it may get her ! 

BuBBS. Will you be mine Phoebe Marks? 

Bibbs. Phoeba Marks, no ; {tJireatens) but you shall have 
other marks if you don't mind. 

Bubbs. You presume on your majestic figure, but though little 
I amljrave, {squaring) and if you will only tie your hands be- 
hind you, we'll contend in a deadly struggle, and the conquerer 
shall have Phoebe Marks. 

Enter Martin l. 

Mar. PhcEbe Marks, indeed, who is she I wonder, :hat you 
should quarrel about her ! {crosses to c.) I am surprised at you 
Mr. Bibbs ! 

Bibbs. Phrebe Marks is a charming creature, a great favorile 
with her mistress, receiving besides her salary, handsome presents 
I'rom her ladyship. 

Mar. Well, she is engaged to be married ! 

Bibbs. Not yet Martin, for I haven't yet found courage to pro- 
pose to her. 

Bubbs. No more have I. 

Bibbs, Silence you Bubbs! 

Bubbs. 1 shall talk as long as I like, Bibbs! 

Bibbs, {indignant) Bibbs, plain Bibbs ! 

Bubbs. Yes, you are very plain Bibbs ! 

Bibbs. Say Misicr Bibbs. 

Bubbs. Not now I m discharged! 

Bibbs. Ignorant brute! 

Mar, I tell you Phoebe Marks is engaged to be married to her 
cousin Luke. 

Bubbs. Look, look where? 

Mar. It's as true as my name is Martin. 

Bibbs. No no, it won't do Martin ; I can't swallow tliat. 

Mar. You will have to do it though. 

Bibbs. It can't be, sb.e has often looked at me, and must have 
perceived what a superior man I am. 

Mar. So you arc Mr. Bi'ibs, the man she is about to marry is a 
rough dissipated ravage. 

B THUS. And sh? might have bad a f[niet sober young man. 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECEET. 19 

Bibbs. If I but knew him. 

Mar. You do, he was here this morning, and told me that you 
two talked about turning him out, and that if you had attempted 
it, he would have killed you both. 

Bibbs. That ruffian ! then I shall have nothing to do with him. 

BuBBs. Nor I neither. 

Mar. You'd better not, for I tell you he is a savage, and always 
carries a knife about him, which he uses without ceremony. 

Bibbs and Bubbs. Oh ! {they stagger hacTc^ Bibbs to r. 

BuBBS to L.) 

Mar. {aside) To cut his bread and cheese with, {aloud) 
If you are wise Bibbs, think no move of Plicebe Marks. Exit l. 

Enter Luke, r. quietly advances hehind them to c. 

Bibbs, (r, — Qiot seeing Luke) Lost to me forever ! 

Bubbs. (l, — ditto) Not a chance left ! 

Bibbs. For a longer period than that — {each time they 
speaki they stagger a step hack toioards c.) And he would 
actually kill such a fine looking man as I am. 

Bubbs. Cutoff a steady, sober 

Bibbs. Kill me in cold blood ! 

Bubbs. When he's in a passion. 

Bibbs. Oh! 

Bubbs. Oh! {hoth fall against ^vsk^) 

Bibbs. Support me Bubbs ! 

Bubbs. Hold me up Bibbs ! 

Luke, {gruffly) What the devil do you mean by {heth 

starts turn towards^vKE, see their mistake^ r%in oiffrght- 
enedi Bibbs r., Bubbs l.) What is all this about? I thought I 
heard Phcebe's name as I came in — ha, ha, I shall have her now ; 
and what's better, the public house too — ha ha ha ! iLxit i" 

Scene Fourth. — Lady Audlcy^s houdoir-, elegantly fur- 
nished^ door R. u, e. 
Lady Audley seated on couch l,/ Alicia on a chair R* 

Lady A. (l., shrugging h&r shoulders) It seems very hard 
that you cannot love me, Alicia, for I have never been used to 
make enemies ; but since it seems that it must be so, I cannot 
help it. You won't try to injure me ? 

All {rising) Injure you ! How should I injure you? 

Lady a. {rising) You will not try to deprive me of your fath- 
er's affection? 

Ali. I may not b so amiable as you are my lady, and I may 



20 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 

not have the same sweet smiles and pretty words for every stran- 
ger I meet ; but I am not capable of contemptible meanness, — and 
even if I was, I think you are so secure of my father's love, that 
nothing but your own act will deprive you of it. 

Lady A. What a severe creature you are Alicia! I suppose 
you mean to infer by that, that I'm deceitful. Why I can't help 
smiling at people and speaking prettily to them. I know I'm no 
better than the rest of the world, but I can't help it if I'm more 
pleasant — it's constitutional. (Alicia is going R.) 

Enter Phcebe Marks, door^. 

Lady A, Ah! Phoebe — oh, .stay Alicia ; has Robert Andley 
heard yet anything of the friend whoso suddenly deserted him? 
I — {compressing Jier lips) I have forgotten the name of 

PnoiiBE, Mr. George Talboys. (Lady A. starts) I do not 
know my lady. 

Lady A. {smAling) What a bother to make, because a man 
takes it into his head to run away from those whom his own grief 
will not suffer him to be sociable. 

All (aside) Sh:- is right, I do hate her, frivolous, heartless, 
giggling wax doll ! 

Lady A. {sittiiig on coug/i l.) I can tdl by your looks, 
Phoebe, that ypu have come to plague me about your marriage 
with your cousin. You surely are not in love with the fellow? 

Phoebe. I do not think I can love him. We have been together 
fror.i childhood — ray mother almost reared him — I was but fif- 
teen when she died, and almost with her last bieath she exacted 
from me a promise to marry Luke, and now I daren't refuse to 
be his wife. When a boy he was always violent and revengeful. 
I saw him once take up a kniie in a qnanel with his mother. My 
lady, I dare not refuse to marry him. 

Lady A. {rising) You silly girl, you think he'd murder you 
do you? what nonS-'use ! I shall be very sorry to lose you, but 1 
have promised to stand your friend in all things. What do is your 
cousin m.'an to do for a living when you are married? 

Phoebe. He would like to take a public house, my lady. If you 
would see him now. 

Lady A, He is then at hand? oh by all means let him enter, 
and he shall take a puldic house, ami the sooner ho drinks him- 
selflo death the better. 

PiKEBR. {going to door) Yon may coiue in, Luke. 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 21 

Enter Luke n.hat in liandy does not how, hut fixes him- 
self o. ruhs \is,Jie(id and stares at Lady. Dudley) ,<;.' 

Lady A. Young nlaii,yburitiarHage' 'with' Phoebe is agrtfeci 
upoTiy and I shall give you fifty pounds. Sow, do you not thank me 
sir? or is it by rubbing that bullet head and staring, that yott ex*^' 
press your' gratitude? •' \''' '' ■ '' 

Phcebe. {close to Luke, r. c.) Tell my lady how thankful 
you are Luke. 

Luke, {savagelij) But I'm not so over and above thankful ; ■ 
fifty pounds ain't much to start a public. You'll make it a hun-' 
di'ed my lady? 

Lady A. {indignantly) I shall do nothing of the kind, and 
I wonder at your impertinence in asking it. 

Luke, {insolently) Oh yes you will though! (Lady Audley 
draws herself up haughtily— he advances — he speaks in 
a low distinct tone) The stone rotmd the old well is all bro- 
ken away my lady, {she starts) audi happened to come into 
the lime-tree walk just in time to see how it was done. (Lady • 
AuBhEY shudders) You'll make it a hundred, my lady? 

Lady A. {recovering herself) Well, yes and you shall never 
want a twenty pound note, While £ have the power to give it, 

Phcebe. Oh, thank you my lady. (Lady A. sits 07i couch) 
Enter Robert Audley, r. door^ 

Luke, {as he goes oif^^ with Phcebe) I knew she would make 
it a hundred^ — I knew she would. (Lady Audley, c?c>(^s notper- 
ceive 'Robert who loalks sloioly over beside her, and gaze& 
earnestly on her for a moment hefore speaking)' 

Robert. Lady Audley ! 

YikviY I\, Is\i\ {starting to her /"ggz!) You, why do you come 
creeping into the room to frighten me out of my poor wii&.{peev— 
ishly) You ought to know how nervous I am. 

Robert. Lady Audley, heaven knows I wif^htobe merciful, that 
I would willingly spare you, but justice must be done. Shall I tell 
you why you ai-e nervous in this house my lady ? 

Lady A, {vnth a slight laugh) If you can. 

Robert, (r.c.) Because for you, this house is haimted. 

Lady A. (l. c.) Haunted! 

RoRer r. Yes, haunted by the ghost of George Talboys . 

LAbY A. {arter a moment passed in endeaouring to . 
suppress her agitation) What do you mean? Why do you 
torment m? about this George Talboys, wholupp >ns to take it into 



22 . LADY AUDLin:\S hKCKET. 



; his head to keep out of your way for a while? Wnat is George 
Talboys to me, tliat you shoiiltl worry me about him? 

Robert He was a stranger to you, my lady, was lie not? 

Lady A. What could he be to me but a stranger? But if he b- 
dead, I'm sorry for him. It" he lives, I have no wish either to aeo 
him, or to hear of him. 

liouERT. Lady Audley, that amouceraeut in the newspapers 
of his wife's death, which struck my poor friend to the heart, was 
a cruel lie, a base and couaidly lilow in the dark — it was the 
treacherous dagger-thrust ot an iniamous assassin. 

La^v a. {shrugging her tiho alders) ll; Ucuiuu.s. 

IvouEUT. George Talboys' wife is still alive. 

Lady A . You are mad. 

KouEU'i . And you, my lady, you are she. 

Lady A. By what fright do you dare? 

lloLEitr. The evidence I have collected against y.)ii waits only 
one link to be strong enough lor your con leniuation, and that one 
link shall be added. I will spare tio trouble in completing t!ij 
chain, unless 

Laia' a. {eagerly) Unless what ! 

lionERT. Unless the worn m I wish to save from degr.'dati m a id 
jiuuishireut, accepts tlie mercy 1 offer her, and takes warnin.;- 
wliile ibeie is time. 

Lady .\. 8h^'. woii'd l»e a v -ry foolish worn lu if sli ' sntTere I 
l.ersell to Ite iiifliienc -d by any s?..'h absiirdily. ff yon cbo)^e to 
iusist thai 1 am Helen Talboys, yoi m ly — I shall not att'mp: to 
hiuder you. 

RouEUT. Then you will lie abb^ io bring some on ■ forward who 
can identify you with the past ? 

Lady A, If I were pla.'ed in a criminal d )ck I could, no doubt, 
bring forward witnesses tore ute y )nr absn.-d ace isa i.)!. But I 
am not in a crimnal dock, Mr. Audi -y. an I I do not ehr^j ■ to d* 
auythi;ig but laugh at your re liculois folly ! 

"lioDEiir. It is to be a duel to the death, ihi'u, my laly? {i^ppak- 
inq ,soI('in idg) You refuse to accept my warning — yon r 'fuse to 
y-(»'hence and rep-mt ot y"ur wickedness in some ;oreign place, lar 
fro*n the gi'ticrous gentleman you have decieved and (ooied l)y 
vour false witcheries. Vou choose to remiin her > and defy m'? 

Lad I A. I do! {looks him full in. the face) It's no fault 
of mine if my hns and's nephew go -s mad, anil choos >s me for 
th«.' victim o. bis monomania. 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 23 

Robert. So be it then my lady. I last saw my friend, Georg* 
Talboys in the lime-tree walk, and left him as I saw you ap^ 
pruaching tojoin him ; he was seen by others to enter those gar' 
dens, but he was never seen to leave them — I do not believe he ev" 
er ilid leave them. I believe that he met his death within the 
boundaries of those grounds, and that his body lies hidden below 
some quiet water, or in some forgotten corner of the place. I will 
have such a search made as sliall level this house to the gr ound 
and root up every tree in those gardens, rather than fail iu find- 
ing the grave of my murdered frieud. 

Ijadv a. Ah ! {uttering a criji and tossing her arms 
^olldlg over her head) You shall never live to do this, I will 
kill you first. Why have you tormented me so? Why couM you 
not let me alone? What harm have I ever do ue you that yoii' 
should make yourself my peisecutor, anl dog my steps, and watch 
my looks, and play Ihe spy u[»onme? Do you want to drive me' 
mal? Do you know what it is to wrestle with a mad woman ? 

(laughing vjildlg) Xo, you do not or you would never 

{drawing herself up) Go away Mr. Audley — (changing 
her tone) Yon are mad I tell you, you are mad ! 

IloFiKRP. (going totoards door) You have refusel to accept 
my mercy ; I wished to have pity upon the living, 1 shall hence- 
forth remi'mliiT only my duty to the dead. 

Lm>v a. What will you do? What need I fear lro;n one who 
has lust his wits? (deUantly) What will you do? 

RoBEirr. That question shall lie answerel when you staud upon 
the scaffold, murderess. 

Lad,' AroLEv utters a tnlld shriek^ presses her hand to. 
her hearty staggers and falls senseless, one armrests on 
coufh v;hi<'li she could not reach — Music 

END OE ACT FIRST. 

JLCT II. 

ScEVE Fiusr — Castle Inn at Mt. Stanning— Wainscoat- 
edrooni; //replace k.; doors, r.. '2 v.. and u. u. e. raised 
gallerg at hack, in it's cent) e, a door; stairs u. leads to 
gallery. 

Maxic — Luke ^Ikkws and ^^iii^'^ seated at table, on whioh 
are bottles glasses and candle lit — Luke tipseg^ Buhus 
diito^a long pipe i7i his hand. 



84 . LAjDY AUDIiEY'S SECRET. 



®!iIit?R:k-'"'(i,: of'icMej Don't talk to me ; I tell you I am the 
ifldst'iitifoifunatelliaiititlie w6Tld. ' , 

"■'^BjjbBSV What's your troubles' to mine?' See hdwl'liave", come 
d6wii"in ftie -v^orld only in t\Vo months,' since that 'pompoid'i^ fool 
Bibbs bundled me off. {stanrting ' tq^) Look at rue! Are 'these 
cidthek anything lilce the handsome livery I Used to wear? 
''Luke. "Hold your noise and sit down; • 

'Bukb^. "W-ail till T light my pipe, {trying to UgJit it at the 
(^b'^iti-^g) Come, I sayv no tricks. ' " ,'' 

Luke, {savagely) What do you ihejiti? 

i^UBBs. Why, let the candle alone ; vyhat do you keep shaking 
it''aboufc fdr? ' '' ' • ' * ' '• ■''•' •' ^ ; 
PLuKi^i' Bah;' {^sie^'inj' the 'ct^^idle 'cind thru'sting it into 
BuBi5s'^/Hce)Hcr\ 

i^BfTi^fel."'01f ! {Hops hach'intd hJiai'f mid drops' pip^) Mr'.'' 
Marks,' yon have set light to my ri6se. 

' L"yKE;'' And yon have broken your pipe. No vvorider the bail- 
iffs-are going to sell me up to-mdlrow, when people come nto my 
houfie, and destroy 'my property in this audacious manner. 

BuBBs. Yes, Mr. Marks ; there's been an inve— inv^ — what 
dy'e call it — onybur gbods,'and I'm the man in possessiofl. 

Lure. Curse this house ; I might have done some trade, I 
dare say, only I've alway'H hail the blue devils evier since I came 
to it, it's so dull,; so' T was obliged to drink up niy own liquors 
to keep my spirits "up. 

BuBbs. Seems to me, that was the Way to low^r 'em. 

Luke. And when I'm drunk, I'm apt to be quarrelsome, and 
so I frightened away fhe few customers there was, and now I'm to 
bcisold for nine pound rent. 

Bubbs. And I'm the man in possession ; a most degrading oc- 
cupation lor asober industrious,young man. Where's the brandy? 
— no — I drunk that last ; where'.s the gin ? no — I'll liave some 
beer this time. {take s jug and dritiJi's) 

Luke. Sold up for nine pounds ! {rising) but it won't come 
off. I've got a friend; I've sent Phccbe to Lady Audley — she'll 
help me, she onust- 

Bubbs. I had a kind of hankering after Pha^be, she's a p;etty 
girl ; and to think that she should marry su -h an awful ugly fel- 
low as you are. 

Luke, {threatening liim) What! 

Bqbbs. You mustn't niy '.ood man ; it's against th * law to Istrike 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 25 



a man m possession, 

Luke. Hold your tongue, then : 'taint long since Lady Audley 
sent me the money to pay the brewer ; but I didn't pay him though. 
I went about among my friends and spent ii that way. 

BuBBS. That beer don't agree with me. I must have a drop 
more gin. {di'inks) 

Luke, • It's worth summut to knovr summut you didn't ought 
to know. 

BuBBS, I: was through Phcsbe that I lost my place — nothing 
else ; for as I was a steady sober young man — I don't like that gin, 
give me some brandy, (d7'i?iks) 

Luke, {returns to seat) Drop that bottle. 

Bqbbs. No ; I won't drop the bottle. 1 should spill it and break 
the brandy. 

Luke. Bah ! {snatehing hottle) give it here. 

BcjBBs. {hands in peokets) Yaw — I'm so dreadful drowsy! 

Luke. {Mis glass) Well, goto sleep, {drinks — lights pipe) 

BuBBs. Yes, and when I woke I should find you had bolted with 
all my furniture. {head sinks on his hr east) 

Music — Enter Phcebe \,. door. 

Luke, {hrutally) So you've coadescended to come home at 
last ma'am. I thought you was never coming no more. 

BuBBs. {lialf-a-sleep) That's pretty Phoebe's voice ; and she's 
married to an ugly drunken brute, instead of a sober 

Luke, {to Bubbs raising jug) Do you want me to split 
your skull? 

Phcebe. yinildly) Pve been longer than I intended to be, 
Luke ; hut I've seen my lady, and she's been very, kind, and — 
and she'll settle this business ibr us. 

Luke, {rising ^ smoking) She's been "very kind," has she? 
{with a chuckle) Thank her for nothing. I know the vally of 
her kindness. She'd be uncommon kind, I dessay, if she 
wasn't obligated to be it. 

Phoebe. Hush ; Luke, not so loud. 

Luke, {to Bubbles) Oh ! tliat fellow 

Pnci'-BE. I was not thinking of him : but Mr. Robert Audley is 
yonder, in his room {pointing up to door on gallery) — and— 

Luke. Oh, he is fast asleep long ago, was as tijerl as a dog he 
said, and wanted to be up early to-morrow. I asked him to sit 
down here a bit, hut he wouldn't aud went off to bed. 



26 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 



Phgebe. So much the better. 

Luke. Eathcr strange, when Mr. Robert Audley is so handy 
to Audley Court that he should take up his quarters in our ricketty 
place ; there's a reason for it, no doubt — something the matter 
between him and my lady I fancy, 

Phceee. Ye8, Luke, I — I think so. 

Luke. You jade, you know so ; he told us that he had an objec- 
tion to going to Audley Court just now, and so as he didn't want 
to leave the neighborhood just now he came here. 

PiicEBE. Yes, Luke, we know all that, but 

Luke, None of your sarce ! where's the nine pounds to pay the 
rent? 

Phcebe. My lady has promised to settle the business for us, and 
she's coming down here to see about it to-night, Luke. 

Luke. What? {starts-, lets pijxi fall) 

BuBBs. {half aslef-p) You mustn't damage the furniture ; 
Pm the man iT\ possession. 

Luke. My lady coming here to-night? 

Phcebe. Yes, Luke, she said that she would follow at once and — 

LuiiE. Ah ! I know, {aside) She fears that when the liquor 
is in, I shall let the secret out. Well let her come. 

Music — Enter Lady Auuley l. glances arond tlie room-, 
advances to o. 

Lady A. {pointing to Bubbs) That I suppose, is the 

BuBBs. {half asleep) Pm the man in possession. 

Lady A. I have come to pay him, and send him about his bus- 
iness. 

Luke. (r. c.) Bah! you might have given the money to Phoebe 
as well as to have brought it yourself. We don't want any fine 
ladys up here, pryin and pokin their precious noses into everything. 

Phcebe. (l.) Luke, Luke ! when my lady has been so kind. 

Luke. Curse her kindness ! it aint her kindness as Ave want, 
gal, it's her money. She won't get any snivelling gratitude from 
me. Whatever she does for us, .she does because she is obliged, and 
if she wasn't obliged, she wouldn't do it 

Lady A, {violently) Stop! I didn't come up here in the 
middle of the night to listen to your icsolence. (Luke is GOV^ed) 
How much is the debt? 

Luke. Nine pounds. 

Lady A. {lances out purse) Let that man give me a receipt 
before J "O. 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 27 



Luke, {shakes Bubbs) Don't you hear, wake up ! 

BuBBs, (rousing) Let the furniture alone ! I'm the man in 
possession ! (Lady Lxjdij&y places note^ and four sovereigns 
on table before Bubbs) 

Luke. Sign this — there's your money ! {put^ pen into 
Bubbs' hand) 

Bubbs. Which paper am I to sign? seems to me there's two or 
three of 'em. 

Luke. What's your name? 

Bubbs. William Bubbs. 

Luke. Keveihen^ (guiding his hand^ spelli7ig) W-i-l-l-e-m. 

Bubbs. It don't seem very plain ? 

Luke. How do you spell Bubbs ? 

Bubbs. B-u-ebbs. 

Luke. There, (as before) 

Bubbs. That's only a blot. 

Luke. Never mind, it will do, there are plenty of witnesses — 
liere — (gives receipt to Phcebe, she to Lady Audley, who 
puts it in her purse) take your money — hands sovereigns 
to Bubbs) — and noy/— (takes Bubbs by collar^ shoves him 
to L.) Gro to the devil. 

Bubbs. I shan't ! I shall go home, I know I've nothing more to 
<^o with your goods and chappels, but as far as your beer, and 
your brandy, and gin are concerned, why you eee (rubs stomach?) 
I am still the man in possession. Exit l. door 

Ph(et!e. You mustn't go home alone my lady, you'll let me go 
with you ? 

Lady A. Yes, yes, you shall go home with me, and remain 
until morning dawns, if your husband 

Luke, (r.) Oh ! let her go, I don't want her, and now that I'm 
once more master here, I shall go into the little bar parlor and 
have a glass of good st.ong stuff before I turn in. Good night, my 
lady, I dessay you'll hear from me again before long, somehow 
I'm always in trouble short of money. i.xit door R. u. e. 

Lady A. (aside) Ruffian ; — (suddenly) — Phoebe, in which 
room does Robert Audley sleep ? 

Ph(ebe. (r. surprised) That, my lady, is the room he always 
occupies when here, (point's to door on gallery) 

Ladi- a. Oh, indeed ! Well, Phoebe, now let us go, (starts 
and suddenly stops as if remembering) Ah! 

Phoobe. What is it my lady ? 



28 LADY AUDLEl'ri !:5ECRET. 



Lady A . 1 had forgotten something very particular which T 
have yet to say to your brnte of a husband. 

Pecebe. I will fetch him to you my lady. 

Lady A. {stopping her) No, I will call him myself. Go 
you forward, and wait for me at the turn of the road ; I shall not 
be a moment. 

Phoebe. But, ray lady 

Lady A. Go I tell you? That which I have to say to Luke, is 
for his ear alone, and Imnst be certain you are not within hearing. 
(Music — Phcebe gazes at Lady A. who opens door, l. — 
PncEiJE crosses and goes <)#--Lady A. closes- door — and. 
aiixances) If this old house vas burnt to the ground, wlio would 
wonder? All would cry, "'A fire caused by the laLdlord ii. one 
of his drunken fits" and there wonld be an end. Once seL a-going 
how rapidly this old building would bo levelled to tie ea:tli ; and 
my two enemies shall perish with it. (goes to d(,or 3. u. e. 
looks oft) Luke is there drunk. Robert Audley in yonder cham- 
ber, {fointing, and advancing slowly) Alight applied to 
the curtains, the dresses, and the old tapestry in Phoebe's room — 
Yes 'lis there the fire must commence. {Mtisic — she takes 
candle, an d sloioly ascends stairs on to halcony — listens 
at door) Not a sound. Ah! the key is in the lock, (turns it 
twice, takes out key, liste?is at door) Still quiet ; he has 
not heard. , Ex, t cautiously,^. 

A pause — lights doion — Luke staggers on^ door r. u. e 

Luke, (tivsy) Now I a ii drunk; that last strong dose has 
settled me. Key, no light ! The draught I s'pose. (hits chair 
L. of table) And a man is more drunk in the darkness than in 

the (falls in chair, spreads arms on table, and lays 

head on thein) 

Music — Enter IjAm- A. — candle in hand — on gallery 
from R. descends stairs, advances c, not seeing Luke — 
lights pa'dly up) 

Lady A. 'Tis done ! a short time and this house, my enemi 's, 
too, will be ir ashes. Now I musi hasten and to join Peoebe or — 
(Music — she takes a step to pitt candle on table; sees 
Luke, titters a cry, dropping candle. Luke raises his head-, 
exit Lady A. at door) 

Luke. What the devil was that? something seemed to 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 29 

{pulling himself to his feet — iiamefrom r., on haloony) 
I shall bolt the door and go to bed. {staggering towards door-, 
he twirls round-, Goming with his tack against it) Curse 
me, if ever I shall be able to get to bed. {suddenly sees the 
Harne) Why, what's that? {Music — he staggers up and 
partly ascends the stairs)' 

Luke. The old house is on fire, {with a drunken chuckle) 
Well, I shan't put it out ; I'll leave it to burn itself out — let it 
burn, let it burn. {Music — he sways ahoutt and then rolls 
helpless O'fi' the steps on to the grotcnd — flames and red 
Are hurst strongly forth). 

Scene ^-e.coiht)^'^-- Front Ghainher. 
Enter Bib".s slowly-, i^.— stops-, draws forth his hand- 
kerchief., and applies it to his eyes. 

Bibb?. I'm a bereaved butler ! I've lost a charming creature, a 
great favorite with her mistress, receiving, besides her liberal 
salary, handsome presents that--^oh! isn't it an afiiiction ; I know 
no more what I'm about. Sir Micnael asks for vinegar, and I 
give hirn the pepper. Well why shouldn't I — goodness knows that 
Phceb'e Marks has given me pepper | what I suffer no one knows, 
I don't know myself. I'm falling away to a skeleton ; in the first 
Vveek of Phoebe's marriage, it's a positive fact that I lost seven 
■pounds and a half of manly fiesh-^and I have every reason to be- 
lieve tliat this has been going on eversioce, and when a man comes 
to lose seven pounds and a half for more than three inonths, just 
consider \vhat it must reduce him to; {handercheif to eyes) 
Enter Martin, e. 

Mar. Poor Mr. Bibbs, how Can ycu go oh fretting in this way 
a,bo'.:t Phoebe Marks, who never cared a straw for y-ou ! I didn't 
think you was so weak, Mt. feibbs. 

Bibbs. Yes I anl weak Bibbs ; aocl so would you be weak if 
you had lost seven and a half pounds per week, fOr three months 
togethei' — seven tirries twelve is Cighty-fourj and twelve halves-— 
Oh ! Ihe total is something awful ! 

Mae. I can't think Vvhat should make you so fond 6f her. 

BiBBs. She was a charming creaturcj receiving besides her lib- 
era] •, hand&ome salary, presents that •^^^^-— 

Mae. I am afriaid you are mercenary, Mr. BJbbs. 

Bibbs. Not at all; it's my feelings — how am I to get them 
back? how am I to recover the seven pound and a half a week that 



30 LADY AUDLEY*S SECRET. 



I— wjieusliall I be again the fine^ portly man that I used to be? 
Oh! {handher chief to eyef)- 

Mar. It's all fancy, Mr. Bibbles ; thei e is not the slightest (dif- 
ference in you. {loohing at him admiringly) You are the 
same fine man you always was. 

Bibbs. Nonsense, nothing ot the sort. I am sorry you shoultl 
drive me to make an indelicate observation, but where' h niv 
stomach? What has become of n^y nobi« stomach? 

Mar. Why, there it is, as rotund as ever ! 

Bibbs. Nonsense, I tell you, I know hettei . No stomach that 
was ever born could — no, it couldn't sustain unmoved fir two 
months a weekly loss of seven pound and a half ! 

Mar. (crosses to l.) It's my opiuioq you have taken to tip- 
pling, Mr. Bibbs. . Exit^'L', 

Bibbs. There never was a man more proud of his stomach . 
and to see it reduced to a mere skeleton of an abdomen— I never 
know now that I have got a stomach at all, except at dinner- 
time ; I'm very miserable, and so low that when I'm in the cel- 
lar, bottling, I'm sure to be deeply affected, {puts his hajid- 
Icer chief to his e'^es). 

Alicia, (entering e.) No, he will never return ; he doesn't 
love me and has gone away to be rid of me, for he sees — {half 
crying) he sees that I love him, and 

Bibbs, {seeii^g her) I beg your pardon, Miss x\licia. 

All Oh ! what will become of me ! {putting her handker- 
chief to her eyes)- 

Bibbs, {aside) She is affected at beholding my sorrow ; how 
very kind of her! {^business with handher:heif) 

All What is the matter Mr. Bibbs ? 

Bibbs. A charming creature, receiving besides her liberal mis- 
tress, salary presents. 

All Don't be a fool Mr. Bibbs, {loipes her eyes) 

Bibbs. You are in sorrow Miss Alicia, it can't' he as great as 
mine — you havn't lost seven pounds and a half a Aveek, for- — 

All Bibbs, you are an idiot, {exit v..) 

Bibbs, How sweet to ns in grief is the sympathy of our tellow 
creatures — especially of our superiours. Oh, Pha;be, charming 
salary, receiving besides her liberal creature, handsome Lady 
Audleyfrom her presents. Oh! {Exit i-^ 'kerchief business) 



LADY AUDLEY'S SEeRST, 81 



^cEi^ETniRD-^ Apartment,' tpindow^ t^. c.^ doorJ^ 
Musie-r—h ADY AuDLEv Sfj^^^cc^ L.. Phiebe at vnndfivy 

Phcebe. My lady ! my lady ! 

Lady A. What is tlie matter? 

PucEBSk There is a fire my lady! (Lad? A. ffoes io tfyindow) 

Lady A. Yes. I am afiaid it is a fire — at Breutwooil most like- 
ly — at any rate, it's nothing to ns, {turns from window) 

PnffiBE. Oh ! my lady, it's nearer, much n.iaror, it'sat Mount 
Stanning! (Lady A. walks to- R. to conceal her agitation) 
It's tho inn that's on fire! {Jmrrifring ff'^v^'^ard-, L-) 1 kaow it 
is ! 1 know it is ! I have ahvays feared thiL' would happen in some 
one of Luko'.s drunken sprees, 1 wouldn't miiid it ii.' 'twaa only 
the wretched placo ; hut there'll be life lost ! thera'll be lite lost! 
{(■rj/ingi and wringing her hands) There's Luke too tipsy 
to help himself, unless some one helps him ! There' i< Mr. Andley 
asleep. (Phieue oJs^r yes Lady Audlby a6' s,-^:-? smiles trium-^, 
phanilg. "—struck ivuh a thought, falling on her hncfiif. 
<:ind clasping her hands) Oh, heavens ! say it's not tr 
lady 1 say it isn't true ! It's too horrible ! iff.) yo^'^. hOT-'-^"!-': 

Lady A. "What's tow horrible? 

PHa:i3E. The thought that's in my m j.' ■ 

thought that's in my mind.' 

Lady A. {fi,ercely) What do you mcim, ^y. 

Vhcevv:. Why did you go up to the castle to-n)gtit, m; 
you who are so 'bittered against Mr. Auilloy and agaiusi .;.^. -i 
and who knew that they were both under that :r'<of ? As ' titer-: k 
a heaven a''Ove me, I think you went to tha; f • • <- ^; 'i .> ;• 
purpose to set fire to it ! 

Lady A. (grasping Pucebe's arm and drayy.i:g '- .3/ to 
her feet) Fool! idiot! coward! is your husl)and such a prec- 
ious bargain that you should be lamentin.c and groaning for him? 
Wh;it is Robeit Audley to you, that you behave like a m.uiiao 
because you think he i; in danger? You see a red.pateli in the 
sky, and you cry out directly tliat yoirr own paltry hover is in 
fl imes — as if there were no place in the world tL'fit could bara ex- 
cept that. Go home and look after your lii:f,'i. ;';■:■! ^fi.l ",,i.\i- 
lodger — go! {going up to R. door^ c;id 
I don't want you. 

Phcebe. I don't mind your cruel wor4^. ; 
mind anything if Pm wrong. 



32 LABYAUDLEY'S SECRET, 



Ladyx\. {sternly) Go back and see for yourselt — I tell you 
again, I don't want you here. {Music — she walks forward 
to L., Phcebe hurries oif-, r. door-j leaving door open) It 
is more than 1 can bear — suspected — hunted— forced before the 
world to wreath my face with smiles, and chatter idle gossip, 
while my heart is torn with torture — is rent with agony I {pro- 
ducing a phiaV) Oh, that Iliad courage to swallow but a few 
drops of this, and so end all for ever ! {reflecting) Yet, no- 
why should I, now? {putting away 'phial) That girl will 
not dare even to hint her suspicions to the world, and I have 
nothing now to fear. Luke, in his drunkenness, would fall an 
easy prey, and for the other, I took good care that he should not 
escape the flames my hand had kindled. Yes, the devouring fire 
has consumed his life — has left of him nothing but a charred and 
blackened mass which-^ — 

Robert Audley enters suddenly-) r. door-^Music—l^^'n^ 
AuDLEY litters a loild cry>t and staggering hack to l., 
clings to the hack of a chair, glari?ig terror-stricken on 
Robert. 

Robert. Yon are surprised to see me, my lady! Do you 
know how I escaped peiishing in the fire last night at Mount 
Stanning ? 
Lady A. {hoarsely and with diMculty whispering) No, 
Robert. I did not sleep in the room that had be?n prepared for 
me, so that the door of that room was double locked to no pur- 
posCi The place seemed wretchedly damp and chilly, and the 
chimney smoked abominably, and T persuaded the servant to 
make me up a bed upon the sofa in the small ground floor sitting 
room svhich I had occupied during the evening, (Lady Audley's 
head droops upon her hreast) My Lady Audley^ you were 
the incendiary. It was you whose mliixlerous hand kindled those 
flames. It was you who thought by that thrice horrible deed to 
rid yourself of me— your enemy and denouncer. What was it to 
you that other lives might be sacrificed? If you 'could have rid- 
ded yourself of me, yOii would have freely sacrificed an army of 
victims, {Lady AvDJuBY sinks groaning into the chdir) I 
bore the poor drunken wretch through the flames, but Lot till he 
was burnt beyond hope of lecoVery, grateful to me, he h^s desired 
to see me ere he dies 5 he has, he says-, a Confession to make to me 
which concerns yOureelf and Geoi'ge Talboys. (Lady Audley 
shivers convulsively) For the last time I ask youj \vill you 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 33 



confess what you are, and who you are, in the presence of the 
man you have deceived so long, (Lady Audley starts to her 
feet, dashes lierjiair from her face.) 

Lady A. Bring Sir Michael ! bring him here, and I will con- 
fess everything — everything ! what do I care ? Heaven knows 1 
have struggled hard enough against you, and fought the battle pa- 
tiently effough, but you have conquered, Mr. Robert Audley. It 
is a great triunaph is it not? a wonderful victory ! You have used 
your cool, calculating, frigid, luminous intellect to a noble pur- 
pose. You have conquered a madwoman. 

Robert. A madwoman ! 

Lady A. Yes! when you say that I killed George Talboys, you 
tell the truth. When you say I murdered him treacherously and 
i'onlly, you lie — I killed him because I am mad,! because when 
George Talboys goaded me, as you have goaded me, and re- 
proached me, and throateoed me, my mind never properly bal- 
anced, utterly lost its balance, and I was mad ! Shall I tell you 
where you may find the mangled body of your friend? at the 
bottom of the well in the old lime tree walk. Now bring Sir 
Michael, and let him rightly know the woman he has wedded, 
let him know that she is a bigamist, an incendiary and a miir- 
deress ! let him know too that she is mad! that she is mad! 
{laughs wildly-, tossing up her arms^ and then dashing 
herself to the ground. Robert is standing petrified' — 
Miisic) 

Scene Fourth. — Front Chamber. 
Enter Alicia, r. 

Alicia. Robert has entirely deserted me, fallen in love with 
some one else, I dare say . As if it wasn't always expected that a 
cousin was to fall in love with his cousin, when his cousin is a fe- 
male cousin, / mean. If I had known that he intended never 
to propose to me, I might have turned my attention to somebody 
else ! Oh I the wretch, why did he make himself so agreeable, 
and compel me to fall in love with him, if he never intended to 
marry me. 

Enter Robert, r., in deep thought. 

Robert. Alicia, my dear, where is Sir Michael? 

Alicia. My father ! in the library, I believe. Goodness, 
what is the matter with you ? You look so doleful — that is 



34 i^ADV AUDLEY'S bKCRP:T. 



enough to make one burst into tears only to look at yo;; ! 

RoiiERT. Nonsense, Alicia ; there is nodiiog the matter with 
me except that 

All Yes, you? 

Robert. Nothing! 

All Nothing? 

RoBER!'. Yes, that is all that is the matter with me, 1 assure 

you. 

All I know better, sir ; the wax doll has struck you ! 

Robert. {preocGupied) Upon my word, nobody has struck 

me with a wax doll ! Oh, now 1 see ; you mean 

All Do you know, sir, that I have many admirers ; that 1 
might, if I liked, marry half-a-dozen young gentlemen? 

Robert. IsIo you might not ; there is an Act of Parliament 
which expressly forbids such terrible immorality ! 

All How silly! 

Robert. Yes, very silly — I quite agree with you. But you 
mean, I suppose, that there are fellows in love with you; and 1 
am not at all surprised, for you nre a fine, generous-hearted, 
bouncing girl ! 

All I don't like to be called bouncing ; I hate to be tliought 
a bouncer. I know you would think more of me if I were pale 
aud consumptive. 

Robert. Well, then, can't you contrive to procure an inter- 
esting inflammation of the lungs ? Alicia, I fim your cousin ; 
so consider me your brother. 

All I don't want a brother. 

Robert. No ; because you would not be allowed to marry your 
brother. Alicia, if you have set your heart ol. being my wife, 
say so ; for in that ca«e it would become my duty 

All I don't want a dutiful husband : I want one that would 
love me. 

Robert. Well, I love you 

All You do ? 



Robert. Have alway.s loved you 

All You nave? 

Robert. In the most cousinly manner ; and, of course, if you 
wish it, 1 will marry you. 

All You will? 

Robert. Home day ; and you will have to wait I can't tell how, 
long, for just now I have something far more imjiortant to attend to 



LADY AUDLKY'S SECRCT. 35 



Alt. But, Eobcit, 

Roi'.ERT. Don't detain me, I mr.st seek Sir Michael. 

Ali. , Yos ; bnt 

Robert, {crosses to h ,) Don't bother mo, now, there's a 
good i^nrl ; say no more aboui it now, and we'll talk the matter 
over, when I come back here, next winter. Exit-, l- 

Aij. He wants me to wait till the sp iug-time of my Hie is 
gone ; Isa* now that it is arranged that we are to be married, it is 
(pr me to fix the day ; and I'll namo an early one, and if he ob- 
jects, I'll have half-a-dozen stout mea to carry him to church- 

Exit, L. 
Enter Bibp.s sloiolyi r., stops and puts his handker- 
chief to his eyes. 

Birrs, A charming creature! her lady is a great favorite, re- 
ceiving, besides her present mistress, a handsome — oh ! the more 
I think of it, the more 1 feel the loss I havo sustained — young 
women with a bit of property are so very scarce. 

Mar. {entering i..) You know, I suppose, that the lady of 
your love has been bu;nt out? 

Bibbs. Yes, and my heart is irozni out. Oh, Phoehe Marks ! 

Mar. Why grieve now that she is lost to you lorever? 

BiBRs. You don't know what a cru<".l blow it is, to be dissai)- 
pointed when you have set your heart on a charmin>; creature, 
who, receiving besides 

Mar. Yes I know, Init tl.' re are other charming creatures who 
having been careful of their wages and perquisites, have a nice 
bit of money. 

Bibbs. 1 don't care for mon'^y, but such a www as I am ought 
nottomairy any woman wi:hout any/ i$nd wiien I hear of sensi- 
ble females who have saved somo m mey, I always wi.shthatl 
could marry them all, and take them and th('ir propeity in a 
lump. But where find these charming creatines? 

Mar, Well, here is one of them, 

BiBB>. You? you have saved a sum of money? 

Mar. Yes, 1 have lived in this service almost from my child- 
hood, and have been very careful. 

BiBRs. jMariin, mv" dear, 1 have long entertained a secret af- 
fection for you. 

Mar. For Phoiibe yon mean ! 

Bibbs, Never! what d<i 1 care lor the !nirut-out wretch ?_ iNly 
grief for her loss was all a p.eten ce, becau; e my maidy prid" 



36 LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 



could not endure you should behold a love I feared you would 
never requite. 

Mar. Why should you fear that, and you in such a respon- 
sible situation, and such a fine and portly man. 

Bibbs. I v/as, till I lost my {putting his hand on his 

stomach) 

Mar. If 1 must confess it, I have long entertained a partial- 
ity for you, Mr. Bibbs. 

Bibbs. And you are the girl that I have ail my life been 
looking for. 

Mar. Your noble presence, your dignified bearing 

Bibbs . Your sparkling eyes, and the money you have saved — - 

Mar. I ahvays said my husband shouM be a fine tall stout 
man. 

Bibbs, And I made up my mind that my wife should be a little 
creature, timid as a fawn, and slim and delicate as a clothes prop. 
Come to my majestic arms, {embraces her) 
Enter Bubbs, r. 

BuBBs. Oh! here's goings on. Is it apart of a butler's duly to 
cuddle the female domestics? 

Bibbs. What business have you here? None at all with this 
young lady of property, I am certain. 

Bubbs. No, for I see that it's you who are the man in pos- 
session. 

Bibbs. I thought yon wouldn't bear malice, and as I am out 
of place — nobody^ seems to know when they have got a steady, 
and sober young man ! 

Bibbs. Why you are drunk now ! 

Bubbs. Thai's to celebrate my return to sobriety, for I left off 
drinking halt an hour ago, and I'll never drink any more ! 

Mar, Give him one more trial? 

Bibbs. At this blissful moment I can refuse you nothing, 
dearest ! 

Bubbs. And you shall find that I'll be sober every day of my 
life — {aside) and I won't let him see me when I'm drunk every 
night. 

Mar. How is Luke Marks? 

Bubbs. Dead ! burnt and crushed ; couldn't get over it. I am 
sorry to say he was far from being a sober young man ! 

Bibbs. Oh ! gracious, then, Phoebe is now a widow ! 

Mar. Well, Mr. Bibbs, what is that to you? 



LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 



37 



Bibbs. Nothing mY love^ merely an observation, nothing more. 
{aside — crosses l.) I forgot for a moment that the charming 
was no longer receiving her lady with a liberal besides, and — no 
— that's not right ; but never mind. 

Trio — Come Lasses and Lads- 
Mar. Upon the hill brow is the church you know, 

• And thither we soon will hie. 

Bibbs. And when we are wed, we'll have such a spread, 

And to eat a good lot I'll try ; 
With lots of choicest wine — 
That's quite understood ; 
BuBBS. And I'll drink it, drink it, drink it, drink it, 

'Cause I know it's good. ^ 

Omnes. And we'll drink it, <fec., &c., 

'Cause we know it's good. 
Mae, I'll talk very loud, and I'll feel very proud, 

When I'm a butler's wife. 
Bibbs, And we'll have a boy, to be our joy 

And the glory of our life ; 
To make him grow up smart, 
I'll do the best I can. 

Bubbs. And make him a steady, steady, steady, steady, and 

sober man. 
Umnes. And we'll make him, a steady, steady, steady, steady, 

and sober man ; 
Fol, lol, tol, lol, &c. Reel^ sing and dance oif l. 

Scene Fifth — Apartment as hefore. 

Music — Robert l.. Sir Michael k., looking horror-strich- 
e7i on Lafa' Audley, who is c, crouching on hoth knees he- 
fore hiiTii her face covered with her hands. 

Sir M. I cannot here any more of this terrible secret which, 
now revealed to me, must embitter all the years yet left to me. 
Robert you will not act too harshly with her whom I have thought 
— my wife. You will remember in all you do, that I have loved 
her very dearly and truly. I cannot say farew_-ll to her. I can but 
pity he I , as I now pray heaven may pity her. {going slowly R. 

Lady A. {raising her head) I should be sorry for you if I 
could, for you have been very good to me ; but I can't, I can't. I 
can feel nothing but my own misery. I have ever been selfish, 
hgvj- more selfish than e^-er in m.y misery. Happy prosperous peo- 



38 LADY AUDLEY'W SECRET. 



pie may feel for others — I laugh at other people's sufferings, they 
seem so small compared with mine. (Sir Michael _^£)(S5 eif'^- R. ; 
Lady A. rising) Let me go — my brain is on fire, (crosses l.) 

Rob, My uncle may believe that you are insane — I do not deem 
you mad, but dangerous ; yet for all our sakes, madness shall be 
supposed the excuse for your crimes, and the remainder of your 
life shall be spent in a mad woman's proper home. 

Lady A. {alarmed) What mean you? 

Rob. a lunatic asylum, my lady. 

Lady A. No, no, not that, oh, heaven ! not that. 

Rob, It is a fate too merciful for you — double murderess that 
you are ! 

Lady A. Double murderess? 

Rob. Yes, Luke Marks is dead of the hurts received in the fire 
you kindled. 

Lady A. Ah ! but you shall not take me to a madhouse — I 
will not be hurried while yet alive — I would laugh at you and de- 
fy you it I dared. I would kill myself and defy you if I dared. 
But I am a poor pitiful coward, and have been so I'rom the first, 
afraid of my mother's hoirible inheritance, airaid of poverty, 
afraid of George Talboys, afraid of youy but you shall not take 
me to a madhouse, you .shall not ! you shall not ! {rushing 
wildly of,^-) . , . . 

Rob. I will do that which 1 think just to others and merciful to 

her I will give her time and opportunity for repeniancc. 

Enter George Talboys, hastily^ R. door-, verg pale. 

Tal. Robert ! Robert! dear friend. 

Robert, {recoiling', amazed) Great heavens ! George Tal- 
boys, and living ! 

Tal. Yes, yes, dear friend, {they €m,J)rB.Ge) 

Rob, I have mourned you as dead ; believed that your wife — 
but, where have you been ? Why did she confess to having slain 
you, if — oh ! can it be true that she is mad indeed. 

Tal, Luke Marks rescued me, with much difiiculty, from the 
well into which I had fallen, after receiving the murderous blow 
intended for my slaughter ; he conveyed me to his home, and 
there I have languished until now, his prisoner. His death has 
set me free. 

Robert. And why — why 

Tal. Thathe might have power o'er my wife — I mean o'er 



LADY AUDLEY'l!^ SECRET. 39 



Lady Audley. Oh ! Robert, you will be silent. I could not 
bear to see her perish shamefully. I will return to foreign climes, 
and leave her to the wealth and splendor she has sinned so hor- 
ri bly to obtain. 

Robert. Oh ! too late, too late for thaty to Sir Michael she 

has confessed her guilt — and now 

Lady A. {^entering totteringly, l.) I shall not go to a 
madhotTse — I shall not ! I — {seeing Talboys and standing 
petri'fied) Ah! It is his spirit ! I have seen it in my dreams ! 
but thus — oh ! mercy ! — mercy ! 

Tal. Helen, let it comfort you to know that you have failed 
in your dreadful purpose — that I pardon yoxi, and will go where 
you may never more behold me — where I shall be as though I 
was, indeed dead to you ! 

Lady A . Talk not to me thus ; it is to mock my agony for I 
am dying! 

Both. Dying ! 

Lady A. Your threat (J,o Robert) — the madhouse! I have 
taken poison — death is on me even now ! {sinks to ground) 
If I had delayed a few miimtes ouly ! — but this torture heaven 
has reserved for the SYipreme moment ! Oh, agony more terrible 
than those with which the poison rocks ray frame! but 'tis almost 
over. You will not give my memory to imfamy ? No, you will 
not dare ! — for your own sakes you will not dare ! and buried in 
the grave with her will be ''Lady Audley's Secret" — ah! 

Half raises herself, presses both hands to her 
headi and falls hack dead; Sir Michael appears-, 
door R., and gazes on her with grief and terror; 
Talboys kneels heside her-, covering his face with 
his hands; Robert raises his hands toviards heav- 
en. Music.) 



a,iicl 

How to become an Actor. 

by, Charles W. Smith. 

This valuable work has just been published, and con- 
tains many hints and instructions, that Amateur Actors, 
and in fact, every one, that ever make their appearance in 
public, either as readers, or performers on the Stage, cannot 
be without. The subjects are treated in a clear and con- 
cise manner, in as lew words as possible. 

To Amateurs — you cannot afford to be withoiit this work . 
It teaches you how to become a good and efficieirt Reader, 
a good Actor, how to hold an audience silent, in fact man}?^ 
points we cannot mention in a notice of this kind. 

Send us an order, you would not take ten times it's cost 
for it, if you could not get another. 

The following, are some of the subjects upon which it 
treats. 

The Voice^ Natural, o/iid U7inaturcd — Ifoio to jyroduce a 
good voice — Remedies for iveak voices — Faults in Elocution^ 
how to remedy them — Stammering^ it's cure — Pu-iicttiation, 
and Pattses — Different methods of pausing, made hy our 
principal Actors — ^Pauses for effect — Acting— Reading of 
Simile — Position of body — Gestures — The most important 
points to he observed on the Stage — Best method of commit- 
ting a part to onemory — Beat time for study — Position of 
hook, body and hand, in reading — Taking breath — Stress 
and. Emphasis — Ifoiu to read Poetry — The lower notes of 
the voice, Ecc, Etc., Etc. • ■ 

The book is printed on clear white paper, with new type, 
]iapor cover. 

Can be ordered of any Bookseller, or NcAvs-dealer ; and at 
Avholesale of the Agents named on first page o( rover. 

Price i)er copy, 20 cts, by mail post-paid. For single 
copies, send to any ot our Agents, or 

AMES & HOLGATE, 
Dramatic Publishers, 

Box 144. Clyde Oirio. 



TO THE PRSFESSil 



ira ia^he first hou?o that has attempted ihe publication of 
T»lay3 in the West, an^l we assure the profession that no pains 
>uallb3 spared to render ourselves worthy of their be^t wish&a 
and patronage. 

We receive promptly, as soon as issued, the publications of 
other l(ou=o<', and sliall. in addition to tlie Plays published by us, 
have always on hand a full stook of those published by FrencU, 
t/eWit: iia .'3j)cucer ; also tbreign Flays. 

All orders committed to our care will receive prompt attcn* 
tion ; and Plays will bo sent by express or mail to any part of 
the eoi ntry. 

Being situated oa the principal foute betwdftil the East and 
West, alsoou one of the principal thoroughfares between the 
North and SoUth^ dUr facilities are liot sUfpassed by ttrly house 
for shipping gOodS pi-omptly. 

Cash must ac(omptlny orders in all dises, and should be sent 
by P. 0» Order Wheii pdssibh } otherwise by Registered Lettei* 
or Expressj We Cad only be rfispotisible ibf indtiejf 6«3at M 
above difccteds 

W« s*hilll takij pleasure iii r(Jplyulg id all Ifetltfr^ of* inquiry, 




i Eiioi Of Plays, 



,^ 'An cditioildf dittlh bF bur Plays ihierleavecl, is jirepar^ 
Hxpressly foi* MahjigeB Rrid t'i=ohij[)'.ers or dshers Whb Wish siitii) 
Htidy to mai-k stage bdsiriesdi 
We are the first Publishers Who Have cvei* iiitferleavec) Pltlyflj 
Wd will s^hd thehi by itxiil to atiy address for 25 cts. gacb; 
iLddf&i AMES & ilOLGAfE, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




-A.3yCES S^ 



014 153 145 1 ^ 



Draiatic PiiWisliers, BooisellerE 



ouM maiijInq. department, 

["E would call the attention oi all wLpm it may interest to th^ 
ftxct that we are mailing Papers, Magazines, &c, to all part8 
of the Union. Our facilities are unsurpassed by any house; 
we having arrangements Avith many prominent publishers whicli 
enables us to furnish our subscribers with their periodicals, in ad- 
vance of the ordinary method. ' 

The advantages of rQcs.^iying. peri-pdicals from nev/Srdcalers are 
apparent to all, 1st, this, inethod enables subscribers to receive 
Papers and Magazines, from 3, to 12 months, gnd, many pub- 
lishers will not receive susbcriptions for less than Qia,*^ year, where- 
as Ave will furnish any publication foi;. 3, &, ^.,prri2 months. 

Customers may take any paper^ py length of tiine they may 
wish, by paying us 3 months; v^ advanc^V 

Our list embraces all the popular Papers and Magazhics, in, 
the United States. 

If you wish further particulars,enclose stamp forrpturn pc§-ag(V5_ 
^ad address, 

AMES & IIOLGATE, 

Clyde, Ohio. 



LOTTA ! LOTTA ! ! LOTTA ! ! ! 

Beautiful Photographs from life, of Lotta, the charminff Actress. 
The best e^-er sold ! "We will send them post-paid for 25cts Ofich'^ 
Address orders to the Publishers. 

PARLOR THEATRICALS, 

Containing, Acting Proverbs, Dramatic Charades, Drawing-room 
Pantomimes, Musical Burlesques, etc, clc, Avith instructions 
for Amatuers ; l^^'IIow to construct a stage and curtain ; IIoav 
to get up Costumes and Properties ; On the "-making up" of char-, 
acters ; How to arrange Tableaux, &c. Illustrated Avith engra- 
vings*. 

Paper coA'ers 30cts. Boards, cloth back, 50cts. 

Address, AMES & IIOLGATE. , 
Dramatic Publishers, Clyde Ohtc. 



